Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-13
THE ODD FELLOWS.
Tie Grand Mastsr's Rsysrt- Condition Of
the Order in the stAts-varioss
RecomBae ida;iens,


ing Grand Master j. Il. Ley pre-
siding. About one hundred past -grands
and representatives from the various
lodges in the State were present. who
in points OF intelligence and appearance
made up q fine-looking body OF men.
Scme time was consumed in the or
panizasion Of the Grand Lodge and
the concerning Of past-grand degrees on
these entitled thereto, and who had not
previously received them. This having
been completed, the Grand Masters
annual report was read. The report
wasquite lengthy, but OF great interest.
Referring TO the kind dispensation of
Divine Providence in permitting an-
other assemblsge Of the representatives
Of Odd-Fellowship, and expressing the
hope that the session may be .produc-
tive of q great amount OF good to the
order, The Grand Master says:
at affords me great pleasure TO be
able 10 report that peace and harmony
peryades our entire borders, and that
from reports received at my Office and
that OF the grand secretary, that Odd
Fellowship is gradually improving and
increasing. have visited every lodge
reported on our roll but two, and was
prevented from visiting those by cir
cumstances over which / had no con-
troll. Everywhere went i was kindly
and warmly greeted, and the arduous
Iabors of visitation were made pleasant
by the fraternal courtesies extended me
rs grand master on all occasions.
"From the report OF our grand score
taIy to the Sovereign Grand Lodge for
the year ending December 81, 1886, it
will be found that the order only gains
in this jurisdiction seventy-six mem
bers, with four new lodges. If we will
deduct the number in the new lodges
The figures will show loss in member
ship. The gain reported by initiation,
Reinstatement, and card is 375. The loss
by dropped, died, &C., is 299. This loss
is occasioned by the large number of
221 being dropped for non-payment of
dues. / do not think this loss is alto
gether due to lack of interest in the or
der. but mainly to the depressed finan-
cisl condition of our membership,
which j found to exist in nearly every
portion OF the state.
"Tbere are several places in the State
where lodges are wanted, and old ones
ore anxious to revive, but they are pre-
vented from doing so by the hard times.
ga large percentage of our member
ship is composed of men who are en-
ployees, and to the lack of employment
by these is due in great measure the
losses We have sustained.
"By examination of the reports in
the Office of our grand secretary for
the year commencing April ], 1886, and
ending March 81, 1887, it Will be found
that for the present term of one year,
we have gained as follows: -Four new
subordinate lodges instituted, one
subordinate revived, and one Rebecca
Degree lodge instituted, and gain in
membership Of 22S."
The Grand Master then made de-
tailed report of his official action since
the adjournment of the Grand Lodge
last year-the dispensations for new
lodges, the communications received,
the visitations to and institution of new
lodges, his special acts, the various
questions asked and answered, &c, &c.
The Grand Master suggests "that
some provision be made by which
lodges may reduce the amount of bene-
fits to be paid to sick who have received
a given amount or who have been paid
benefits for certain number of weeks
in succession. Many of our Oldest
lodges are verging upon insolvency on
account OF having so many old men,
bers on the sick roll, and unless some
means are provided by which lodge
can reduce the minimum amount now
paid, whereby the sick member may re-
ceive some help, the lodges will cease
to exist and the unfortunate one will
be deprived entirely of assistance ; but
If this relief is allowed by proper legis-
lation several lodges will be saved and
much good will result to the afflicted
OF our lodges
He also recommended that the Grand
Master be permitted to receive dismis-
sal certificates The same as withdrawal
cards from members who apply for dis
pensations for new lodges also that
lodges be permitted to admit members
of their lodges who have been members
for five years and are over fifty years
old of non-benefcial members; also,
that some provision be made to pay the
travelling expenses Of district deputy
grand masters ut least once year in
visiting the lodges comprising their
districts.
The Grand Master regrets to state
kl~s Az Do1>oona nanxao 1nI roo not
as a general rule in fourishing con-
dition, owing to the fact that the SUBJ
ordinate lodges do not interest them
selves in this degree.
The Grand Master concludes his re-
port by expressing obligations to
Grand Representative ]. b. Blanks and
the worthy grand secretary for frequent
and invaluable assistance.
Grand Representative James B.
Blanks also read his report OF the pro-
ceedings OF the sixty-second annual
communication OF the Supreme Lodge,
held last year in Boston.
The election OF officers OF the Grand
Lodge will take place tomorrow.
OTHER NEWS MATTERS.
Mrs. Susanna j., relict of the late
Alex. Gates, died yesterday at the ad-
yanced age of nearly ninety-fve years.
She was nost estimable Christian
lady. and was one of the oldest citizens
OF Petersburg. She retained her &C.
tiyity, both physical and mental, mp to
her lat illness.
Mr.. Robert II. Jones, ST., one of our
old and most respected citizens, is lying
critically i'll. He was for great num-
Der Of years engaged in the tobacco
trade, and has in the course OF his life
hsndled about as much tobacco as any
other man in Petersburg. lie is about
seytnty-seven years OF age.
The eolored child, Pete Bland, who
was 70 badly burned yesterday, died
last night of the injuries received.
RopIs ADAIR.
AIexsadrts Notes.